Renaissance man

created by mja

(person) by Noung (7.9 min) (print) ? (I like it!) 1 C! Sun May 27 2001 at 10:47:37

During the Renaissance, academics thought that a well-rounded man should be proficient in both the arts and science. While we remember painters and scientists seperately for their artistry and science, they would not have seen a clear division.

It was thought a Renaissance man should -

Be able to defend himself with a variety of weapons, especially the sword.
Be able to play several musical instruments.
Be able to paint and output other works of art.
Be forever interested in advancing knowledge and science.
Be able to engage in debates regarding issues such as philosophy and ethics.
Be a skilled author and poet.

Because the Renaissance was the rebirth of interest in classical Greek and Roman culture, it is likely that these were traits that the ancients were thought to have held. Renaissance men, with the culture of striving for increased knowledge and ability, were vital to advancing Europe beyond the Dark Ages into the Age of Enlightenment.

Modern day Renaissance men can probably be split into two sections - the "formal" group, who are the well-known poets, authors and painters, and the "informal" group, who are the geeks and hackers that forever strive to advance their own knowledge, and in doing so benefit society.

(idea) by Mardy (1.5 mon) (print) ? (I like it!) Thu Jan 12 2006 at 8:08:08

Then:Be able to defend himself with a variety of weapons, especially the sword.
Now:Be aware of which bits of the law are enforced and which bits aren't, and know when not to speak.

Then:Be able to play several musical instruments.
Now:Be able to operate a home entertainment system, an iPod and know where to download music from.

Then:Be able to paint and output other works of art.
Now:Be able to redecorate one's condo, build a gazebo or tile a patio.

Then:Be forever interested in advancing knowledge and science.
Now:Be forever interested in post-1939 history and anything topical in Men's Health magazine.

Then: Be able to engage in debates regarding issues such as philosophy and ethics.
Now: Be able to engage in debates regarding issues such as football and motor mechanics.

Then: Be a skilled author and poet.
Now: Be a skilled noder

printable version
chaos

I like my beer cold, my TV loud, and my homosexuals FLAMING!	Jack of many trades	Leonardo da Vinci Syndrome	Leonardo da Vinci
Jack of All Trades	Renaissance	hacker	Chinese Calligraphy
Big Man on Campus	moot	Alan Vega	Calculus
polymath	The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover	The Great Disappointment of 1844	Dark Ages
Fingers slick with mythos	Robert Heinlein	Uraniborg	Nicholas of Cusa
Thomas Jefferson	Renaissance Loser	Craig T. Nelson	Sofonisba Anguissola

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